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Adapting & Thriving: Creative Insights, Life Updates & Workshops ✨
Published 9 days ago • 7 min read
Spring greetings Reader,
We hope you're having a productive spring and enjoying the transition into warmer times! This month, we have been focused here in Colorado, working hard on creating our new workshop schedule and fixing up our trusty truck and trailer before we head out to Utah next week. Jennifer's finger is healing well, and she's been working hard at work with physical therapy to get it back to normal function.
Life on the road isn't always easy, and this month has been a testament to that, presenting numerous challenges. But we have persevered and focused on our own well-being by getting fit, going to concerts, hiking, gardening, and taking time to enjoy the smaller things in life. Unfortunately, all these challenges have put my Rethink course behind schedule, but I assure you it is coming soon. I have spent extra time refining the presets to create an exceptional product for you.
Our 2026 workshop announcement last week went incredibly well, and several are sold out already! Keep reading below to see what's still available, we're already thinking about 2027 to keep up with the demand. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, we couldn't do it without you! — David
Warmly, David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick
⬇️ More exciting updates, creative tips, and photos below! ⬇️
Creative Insights
Finding Creativity in Any Conditions
Our recent workshop in Anza-Borrego was a powerful reminder that epic locations and perfect conditions don't make the photographer. It's the creative, adaptable mind behind the lens that finds compelling images almost anywhere.
Early morning twilight on the badlands
This raises the question: What is your reaction when presented with blue skies for an entire trip? When plans change and you can't reach that dream spot? Or when there are no flowers, or the leaves aren't changing as hoped? Do you cancel the trip, pack up in frustration, or adapt and seek out the hidden opportunities?
It's easy to fall into the trap of complaining and heading home. If that sounds familiar, I hope you'll reconsider. Tethering your creativity solely to ideal conditions sets you up for constant disappointment. Instead, consciously shift your thinking.
Soft twilight looks stunning in black and white
When faced with blue skies, embrace getting out early or staying out late for that beautiful twilight glow, which is often our favorite light. Seek out subjects that thrive on sunny days; for instance, slot canyons only reveal their amazing glow under direct sun. Look for graphic shadows, textures, or intimate scenes highlighted by the strong light.
Canyon glow at high noon with blue skies
When a location is closed or inaccessible, pivot your plans and ignite your explorer's spirit. Dive into maps, research alternative spots, perhaps lesser-known gems nearby. It may sound daunting, and the fear of exploring the unknown and potentially coming away empty-handed is real. But trust me, if you approach the landscape with fresh eyes, you will find something. And the reward of discovering a special spot, perhaps known only to a few, is an incredibly satisfying experience born directly from your willingness to adapt.
Workshop Opportunities
Our 2026 workshop schedule is live and generating lots of excitement, and several dates have sold out fast! Are you ready to deepen your creative vision with personalized guidance from David & Jennifer? Explore the remaining opportunities below. Spots are limited, so secure yours soon!
In addition to our scheduled group trips, we offer Private Workshops tailored to your specific learning goals, location preferences, and schedule. Whether you're seeking intensive one-on-one mentoring or want to arrange a custom trip for your small group, we can design the perfect photographic experience just for you.
Check out this fantastic new Death Valley ebook from our friend Ron! Alongside the beautiful images, he wrote a fun essay responding to a New York Times piece that absurdly called the park a "monochromatic wasteland."
by David duChemin If you feel like you're stuck in a photographic rut taking the same kinds of photos, give this article from David a read. It's designed to get you thinking differently about your approach to making photographs.
By Bruce Percy Starting a new photographic theme or project can feel daunting. Bruce offers a practical starting point: find one image that truly inspires you, and let the project evolve naturally from there.
Workshop Highlights
In March, our Anza-Borrego workshop brought together an incredible group of passionate photographers. While this desert park is famed for wildflowers, conditions were exceptionally dry this year, with hardly a bloom in sight. To add to the challenge, one of our favorite locations was unexpectedly closed permanently. Instead of letting this derail us, we embraced the need to adapt. We dedicated extra effort to scouting new areas and focused on unlocking creative potential in less obvious scenes, encouraging everyone to look deeper for possibilities. Our participants responded with exceptional creativity, as their images below beautifully demonstrate.
Image by Mark Teitelbaum
Image by Paul Pigott
Another Great Workshop! I've taken nearly a half dozen workshops with David and Jennifer, and I always come away feeling that I have improved as a photographer. They love to teach, and their workshops have a good balance of classroom and photography time. I most recently concluded a workshop with them in Anza Borrego, and despite the unexpected closure of locations to which they had planned to take us to (and a complete lack of spring flowers), they improvised and brought the group to other interesting spots. It's very telling that nearly everyone in the workshop was a repeat customer, with at least one client having been with them over 10 times. They are happy to provide friendly feedback on composition, camera usage and editing, and one leaves their workshops with a greater understanding of quality photography. Great folks, great photographers, and great locations--highly recommended! — Paul
Image by Ted Koelsch
Anza Borrego through New Eyes
Though I have been going to Anza Borrego Desert State Park for over 20 years, the time I spent there with David and Jennifer helped me slow down and see Borrego in a new and deeper way. Their expert knowledge of light , setting and moment allowed me to capture meaningful and personal images that reflect the beauty of what at first glance appears a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Image review and processing sessions lead by David and Jennifer provided not only the tools but also insight on how to truly make our images our own. If you can go on only one Workshop - go with David and Jennifer and you won't be disappointed. — Ted
Image by Mark Teitelbaum
Explore, Learn, Create and Grow with Jennifer & David in Anza
This was my second workshop with David and Jennifer, and once again, it was an incredibly rewarding experience. Both workshops provided a wonderful balance of learning and creativity in a supportive and nurturing environment.
David and Jennifer are true educators. With their kind and thoughtful approach, they offer insightful guidance that helps you refine your own vision rather than imposing theirs. I truly appreciate the extra effort they put into both field and classroom sessions to ensure every participant gains valuable skills and confidence.
Jennifer’s expertise in ICM techniques introduced me to new and creative ways of capturing images, while David’s post-processing techniques—along with his brand-new presets—have completely transformed and simplified my editing workflow. Thank you, David!
Beyond their technical knowledge, Jennifer and David are incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and attentive workshop leaders. I highly recommend their workshops and am already looking forward to my next one with them! — Prathi
Image by CJ Glynn
A New Look at Anza Borrego
David and Jennifer's Anza-Borrego photography workshop was an exceptional experience, blending technical instruction and artistic exploration in the stunning desert landscapes of Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Despite the absence of wildflowers, David and Jennifer found phenomenal shooting locations that showcased the park’s diverse beauty, from small cactus flowers to dramatic badlands and slot canyons. Their expertise transformed challenges into opportunities, ensuring that we captured compelling images.
David’s instruction on using his presets was particularly enlightening. His tailored approach streamlines the post-processing workflow and enables you to enhance textures and colors with precision. His guidance proved invaluable in bringing out the desert’s rich hues and intricate details, elevating final images.
Jennifer’s sessions on intentional camera movement (ICM) and intimate landscapes added yet another creative dimension to the workshop. Her techniques encouraged participants to experiment with motion blur for abstract compositions and focus on smaller, often overlooked details of the desert environment. Her emphasis on artistic expression inspired me to see beyond traditional landscape photography and embrace unique perspectives.
The workshop’s structure balanced field sessions at sunrise and sunset with classroom instruction during midday. David covered techniques like focus stacking and Lightroom best practices as well as provided personalized feedback during image critiques. The small group size fostered camaraderie and ensured individual attention, making the experience both intimate and impactful.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was a mesmerizing backdrop for this immersive learning journey. Its vast wilderness and dramatic rock formations provided endless inspiration. March’s mild temperatures further enhanced the experience, with only one shoot in gale force winds.
David and Jennifer's Anza-Borrego photography workshop was a blend of technical skill-building, artistic exploration, and community connection. —CJ
Image by Doug Punzel
Last month, we shared some images from our Death Valley Off-Road Adventure, but we can't help but share even more incredible images from this trip after our critique session!
Image by Mary Brisson
Image by Charlotte Tart
Image by Keith Lisk
Image by Ellen Golodner
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